Spring Lake woke up to heartbreak on February 4, 2026, when Donald Snow, a 65-year-old resident known and loved in his neighborhood, was killed inside his own home. The violence unfolded quietly on the 2500 block of E. Brinkley Drive, then shattered the calm of a close-knit street that never expected such news.
Deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the home early that morning after reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, Donald Snow had already suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His family was notified soon after, beginning a day none of them were prepared to face.
Neighbors describe Donald as steady and familiar, the kind of person whose presence blended into daily life in a comforting way. His death has left a heavy silence in the community. Friends and neighbors say the loss feels personal, as if the street itself is grieving.
Investigators say they are looking for George Snow Jr., 68, also of Spring Lake, in connection with the killing. Authorities have identified him as a suspect wanted for first-degree murder. The two men shared more than a last name, a detail that has deepened the sense of tragedy surrounding the case.
According to investigators, George Snow Jr. was last seen walking near E. Brinkley Drive. He was wearing a black, blue, and white jacket, black and white plaid pajama pants, and white sneakers. He has white hair and a white beard. Deputies have been searching for him since the incident.
Law enforcement officials stress that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Even so, they are asking anyone who may have seen George Snow Jr. or knows something that could help the investigation to come forward. Tips, even small ones, could matter.
As the search continues, the focus in Spring Lake has shifted to remembrance. Donald Snow is being remembered not for the way his life ended, but for the years he lived and the relationships he built. His sudden death has left a deep ache among those who knew him.
In the quiet moments after the sirens faded, neighbors have been leaning on one another, sharing memories and trying to make sense of what happened. Donald Snow’s life mattered, and in Spring Lake, his absence is felt with every passing day.
